Long weekend

Q: "So, Solly, what have you been doing the past couple of days?"
A: "Well... I bought tickets for Madonna, I walked a bit- 30 km on Saturday, 40 km on Sunday and 30 km today - went to a dance festival - outdoor in the pouring rain- and I changed my logs lay-out."
Q: "Sounds slightly busy!?"
A: "It was manageable...;-)"

A new month, a new look - though it still needs some fine-tuning here and there... Tell me what you think of the new look! Like it? Or not? Thought the old one was prettier? Check the archives to compare and spill your comments, well, uh... in the comment thingy!

 

L stands for:

"Look: there's a blue square with white letter 'L' on top of that car! Let's forget all road rules and show that 'loser' how to drive! Overtake at her right side, cut in, sit on her tail, brake test... Cool!"

Have all drivers forgotten how it felt to learn to drive a car? Or does my 'L' just attracts all losers out there?

 

Open application

For those of you wondering why it took me so long to post something today: I was looking for job openings. Anywhere. Any kind. I have been unemployed for a long, long while now and I want a job. I am bored and broke. I am desperate.

For possible future employers: Will work for money. Anywhere, anything. I have an M.Sc. in Geology, and some experience at drilling platforms in the North Sea. But secretary, sales, call-center, whatever job will be fine. I am desperate.

 

Pass / fail

Over here, thousands of kids are finishing up their exams at the moment. Personally, I can still remember the day I received my result - the old fashioned way. A phone call from school meant that you failed, no call meant you passed your finals. No-one else was allowed to ring us at the time the school could call. Fortunately, I passed. I did double-check this by ringing the school myself...
Nowadays, people in India can receive their results by SMS. That this method is not a 100% reliable has been proven already, as an SMS with the wrong information has lead to dramatic actions...
note: Apparently Indian school kids are under a lot of pressure to perform above average at their exams. Suicide numbers rise around this period and counseling is offered to kids who cannot cope with the exam-related stress. Source: Fok!

 

You get the point

I had to get up really early - 7 AM... - this morning. Or actually my love had to get up that early and he doesn't get out of bed, if I stay in it... You get the point.
Anyway, we had a birthday last night, which was fun, yet a bit too much fun, so we only returned home way after midnight, in a certain state... You get the point.
It's Wednesday so I 'have' to clean the house, but I don't want to. Not yet. I am still a bit dozy, fuzzy in my head. Still, after three cups of coffee... You get the point. I get back to bed.

 

Grow it, show it

I struggle almost every day with my hair - including this morning... - It just wont do what I want it to do. I want J.Lo hair: dancing in the wind, lots of volume, a bit of wave... Forget it. My hair prefers hanging down. Think seaweed splashed onto a rock at the beach: my hair. Sort of like Avril Lavigne's coupe. I am so happy that today's fashion 'dictates' sleek, semi long hair and a bang. If this changes - for example back to the wild, big hair of the early eighties-, I am in big trouble. I used to have a hairdresser who could work magic in my hair, but unfortunately he retired a couple of months ago with RSI...

However, after reading this, I have a good excuse for the future. I might still have bad hair days, but I can blame mum and dad. Apparently, It's all a case of faulty genes!

 

Breakfast at Solly's

 

 

What a race!!!

9 reasons why we should race in Monaco more than once a year:
- 2 restarts, 3 safety car situations,
- Trulli wins, Button takes 2nd only 0,4 secs later (closest finish ever here),
- Barichello finishes ahead of Michael,
- Schumi did not win - he did not make the 6 out of 6. In fact: he did not even finish,
- only 9 cars made it the complete race distance,
- I did not doze off during the race for the first time this year,
- Sato had this years prettiest engine blow-up so far, resulting in Fisichella doing a 10 point somersault,
- Renault´s team boss Flavio Briatore is back with supermodel Naomi Campbell...
- I was on the edge of my sofa for nearly 2 hours!

 

I want to ride my... Ouch!

President Bush fell off his bicycle Saturday while riding on his ranch... I consider this the ultimate proof that there's not a trace of Dutch blood in him ;-)

 

Twilight zone

I read somewhere (in Dutch) that there should be a distinct separation between lifelogs and linkdumps. Apparently it is an unwritten law 'out there' which states that you should not dump links AND chat about your life... Oh dear! This blog is definitely in breach of that law... To be honest: I just could not choose.

Story of my life... I can never choose. Early in secondary school, I was told by so-called friends, that I had to choose between house (acid techno) and rock. I did not. I went to raves AND Guns'n'Roses concerts. Later, I hung out with preppies and altos, wearing my Pearl Jam T-shirt above khaki pants... At Uni, I was one of the founders of a politically incorrect club within my left-minded student society.

I never really belonged to one subculture or clique. I considered myself to be a living 'contradictio in terminus'. I always saw my inability to make a definitive choice as a minus punt, until recently. On a reunion at my secondary school, an old classmate walked up to me and told me how she always had looked up to me: admiring my independent style and lack of conventions. She thought I was cool, and was glad to see that I still had not lost that 'original' attitude. Me? Cool? I asked around and found out that 'in my days' I had been referred to as 'that popular hippy'... Even by teachers!

The moral of this mushy story? I just keep on posting stuff about my life AND stuff I notice on the net. To quote a well-known punk motto: 'F*** the system, break the rules!'

 

On request...

When checking my Nedstat site-counter, I noticed that several people visited my site after searching ('Google-ing', hihi) for a certain picture:

Yes, I might have mentioned John Kerry, the word 'daughter' (relating to me...) and a black see-tru dress (at the Eurovision songcontest) but never in one post. Anyway, I am all for giving the people what they want, so here it is: a picture of John Kerry's daughter see-through dress.

 

Do you have an opinion?

A while ago, I subscribed to an online market research agency. Every now and again, I receive an e-mail in which I am 'invited to fill in a questionnaire on my personal page'. Since I have nothing else to do, I participate. In the past months I have answered questions about food, laundry, energy suppliers, and several websites... All fun, games and innocent pass-time, I thought.
Not anymore, things are getting serious (;-D) now! I have been 'invited to attend a group discussion about websites'. Off course I will 'receive a small fee and compensation for travel expenses'. Cool! So, let me get this straight: we are going to talk (I love to talk, remember?) about websites (I never surf...) and I get money (never enough) for it? Almost too good to be true... I think I will be having fun this afternoon!

 

Respect thigh neighbor

I am so happy that I did not live nextdoor to this appartment!

 

Occupational therapy

Dear Sol,
I am holiday. Would you be so kind to water my geraniums once a day while I am gone? The key is in its normal hiding place.
Kisses, Mom.

 

One of a kind

Always considered your style to be unique? Different? Think again! Here´s an almost anthropological record of people's attempts to distinguish themselves from others by assuming a group identity...

 

Great start of the week...

This morning's conversation with the collection department of my housing corporation:
- I received a reminder last Friday to pay this months rent, but I paid it two weeks ago already.
- Why didn't you phone last Friday?
- You are closed on Friday afternoons...
- Your address?
I give her my address
- I'll check, hold please... hmm, are you sure you paid? ...
- *trying to remain calm* Yes, I am. I have the bank statement in front of me.
- Are you sure?
- *really trying to stay calm, I only had one coffee...* I could send you a screenshot of my online one. Or do you want it the old fashioned way: a faxed copy?
- *10 seconds of silence* Here it is. Ah, it entered today, so you must have paid Friday after receiving our reminder.
- No, I paid almost three weeks ago, I can prove it!
- Sure...
I was still waiting for some sort of apology, an acknowledgement that I was right, not she, when I heard a click, followed by the calling tone...

 

The white gold

 

Eleven points?!

I fell asleep halfway through the televoting . One: it was oh,so predictable, just like I, uhm, predicted. Two: all 36 Eurovision countries, even the ones not participating, could give points. Anyway, I woke up in time for the final results , listed below followed by my comments...

First place: Ukraine. Definitely the best hyped artist... And wildest dance.
Second place: Serbia & Montenegro. My personal favorite.
Third place: Greece. Sexy Enrique look-a-like. Catchy tune, great body.
Fourth place: Turkey. Winner in strangest musical combi: ska from Turkey?!

The Netherlands finished - completely undeserved - at the 20th place, we only got 11 points - thank you, Belgium, Estonia and Malta!

Winners in Solly's additional categories:
Worst dress: Malta. The Swedish dress was pinker, yet less asymmetric...
Slottiest dress: Poland. Black see-tru thingy. Romania's corset was runner-up.
Gayest dance: Bosnia & Herzegovina - Disco! Lot´s of hip-movements
Best out of tune: Malta. the chorus was totally off-key.

 

Zero points?

Due to the growing number of European countries wanting to participate in tonight's 49th Eurovision Song Contest in Istanbul, the organisation decided that countries (except the 'Big Four')that ended up lower than the 10th place last year or didn't participate last year due to a low score two years ago had to qualify for this years event. 22 Countries competed in the qualifying round last Wednesday, the top 10 qualified for the final - amongst them: the Netherlands!

The Eurovision song contest has evolved from cheesy, via gay pride to cult. How come?
First of all because of the subjective judging - that thing called televoting. It's hilarious, 'cause it's so obvious: 'Support theigh neighbor'. Greece gives points to Cyprus, and vice versa. And, sure, it is just a coincidence that all Baltic countries support each other, and so do the Scandinavian and former USSR ones... Secondly and most important, it's never the best song that wins, its the best hyped artist. The one that caught everyone's attention.

Therefore, tonight me and my friends will give points in the some extra categories. Based on their performance in the qualifying round and rehearsals I picked some participants I think will score high in that particular category...

Best song - the Netherlands, Serbia&Montenegro
Best hyped - Ukraine, Greece
Most out of tune - Malta, Cyprus
Silliest dance - Bosnia&Herzegovina, Ukraine
Worst dress - Romania, Belgium

I can't wait for tonight...

 

Bicycle 101

The second I jumped on my bicycle, I realised something was wrong. The pedals moved, but the bike did not. Damn! The chain ran off - is it just me or do these things always happen when you are already in a hurry? Fortunately, dad taught me 'First Aid' for bikes when I was about twelve, and though I had not used that knowledge in a while, I could still remember all of his lessons.

Cool-headed, I turned my bicycle upside down.
I emptied my handbag and found my pocket knife - Sport Billy moment!
I unscrewed the chain guard, removed it and placed the chain onto the chainwheel - life was some much easier when I did not have a chain guard and thus a grease-less chain...

Intermezzo Off course I was standing in a less than elegant position doing all of this; quite a view ("I can see her thong!") for the 16 year olds driving me by. An elderly couple, though, was impressed with the fact that "young people nowadays can still fix their own bikes"

I moved the pedals with my hand and 'magically' the chain rolled back in position! I gave myself a mental pat on the back, replaced the chain guard and turned the bike into a normal position. I phoned my dad and told him what I had achieved. "Well done, princess! I told you those lessons would come in handy some day." But I could hear how proud he was in his tone...

 

Cleaning is fun!

... according to this game at least!

 

Sign the petition

The images of abuse in a U.S. run Iraqi prison couldn't be more disturbing.

Disturbing too is that Donald Rumsfeld and the Department of Defense knew about this and didn't take immediate action and didn't even inform the leaders in Congress. John Kerry has called for Donald Rumsfeld to resign -- and the Kerry Campaign is asking us to show support for his decision by endorsing his statement here.

Note: I am not a big fan of the US (never have been), nor do I support John Kerry's campaign -though anyone's better than 'dubya dubya' -, but I definitely think that Rumsfeld should resign immediately!

 

Oops

My mom told me to think first and then talk. Most of the time, I follow her advise. Sometimes - but not as often as a couple of years ago - I don't. At those moments, I just blurt out anything that comes to mind. Wrong. I know. I can really hurt people with my tactless comments. Also, I have shocked others with intimate details about me or my life. But the worst of all: I will say something really stupid... And realise that immediately after it left my mouth.

I turn pink
I start sweating
I wish for the ground to open underneath me

I apologise

Mental note: FIRST check the comment I wrote in someone else's blog BEFORE I click 'submit'...

 

Food for thought

I was taught at University that it takes millions and millions of years -and some pressure but lets skip the details - for organic material to develop into coal.

If you don't clean your electric oven on a regular basis, it can be done in a few months...

 

Ladies (and cross-dressers) only

Never, ever try on a new bikini when
- your body has not seen sun in months;
- the fitting room has the brightest lighting in town;
- you haven't worked out since...think, Solly, think!,... A while ago.

 

Sad

Around the corner is a tiny electronics shop, with the largest stock ever. Anything you can imagine in household electronics and beyond is on its shelves. You name it, they have it. Even if you couldn't name it, the 89 year (!!!) old shop owner would know which "thingy" you meant.

A couple of months ago, the shop was robbed. And the shop owner molested, because there wasn't enough money in cash... Since then, the shop was closed. I had to go to large, anonymous DIY shops, with 16 year old assistants who could not find the "thingy for transmitting the thing to the back". "Can you be more specific, mizz?" I thought I already was...

Last Saturday, the shop was open for the last time. Clearance sale. The owners son behind the counter. The owner himself is still recovering- physically and mentally - in a nursing home. He probably has to stay there. "Dad was robbed from his health, his life, his independence and self-esteem", the son says in a bitter tone. "Why did the attacker have to wreck the live of my dad, our family and his customers?"

 

Play that funky music, white girl

My love won a DJ contest!
Thought I can't mix and we weren't the only two contestants, I became runner-up. Second place! It's all about what you play!

 

NSFK+PWWS

Every evening after 11 PM I watch MTV. Not for the uncensored videos - though the lyrics make more sense without the blip's - but for the cartoon in between! Recently I found out, that I don't have to wait till past my bed time, but that the cartoon can be watched online, too! I am so thrilled, that I want to share this knowledge with all you people out there. However, some warnings are in place. What you are about to see is a perfect example of Solly's sick sense of humor and very much not suitable for kids and people with weak stomachs. Do not be fooled by their innocent appearance. Ready? Go see the Happy Tree Friends!

 

It is a girl!!!

 I am very happy to announce that Elle gave birth to a daughter: Sonne Liv.
She was born at 9:32 AM, weighs 3200 grams and is in a very good health! Mom is resting, dad is very, very proud!

 

Mutter

Coming Sunday is Mother's Day, and I haven't thought of a present for my mum yet. Yes, I am a heartless daughter...

When I was younger, life was so much easier - well, at least with respect to Mother's Day. A poem (first written by a teacher, later dictated by a teacher) with a painting, together with breakfast in bed (at 7 AM...) always brought a smile to her face. During puberty, me and my brother bought a tea- and a coffee cup every year, because mom's always broke in the two weeks prior to mothers day (it took me years to see the convenient coincidence). Me and my brother are adults now (well, I am) and have moved out. No more early breakfast-in-bed or crockery, but flowers and fragrances.

Since 6 years, I have a mother in law, which makes life even more difficult - well, at least with respect to Mother's Day. Now, I have to think about two presents (my love is sweet, but remains a guy) and two moms to visit. My brother has an easier life (Mother's Day-wise). He has two kids, so they (or their teachers) will take care of the presents for his wife and for our Mom.

Today I am going to have coffee at Mom's. Not only to find out what she would like to get this year, but also to remind my Dad: his absent-mindedness has resulted in several (annual) marriage crises...

 

Freedom

The Netherlands has its own way of commemorating the Second World War and celebrating the country's liberation from five years of occupation. Unlike most countries, the Netherlands sets aside two days to mark these events. The 4th of May, is a day of solemn commemoration; the 5th of May, a day of public rejoicing with the young at the centre of attention. After a day of looking back at the past, the nation turns its hopes to the future!

Source and further reading: click here.

 

Big B'Elly

Best friend Elle is 40 weeks pregnant today -hip, hip...- but no sign of the baby yet. Two weeks ago, when I told her that it's quite normal for a first child to be born one or even two weeks after the due date, Elle looked at me as if she could bit off my head any minute. I retracted my statement by saying: "but yours will be on time", while thinking "you are always 15 to 30 minutes late, and if the baby has most of your genes..." Anyway, since the baby has turned, it has no space to do its hourly somersault-series anymore. Irritated by the restricted freedom of movement, it started to kick Elle in her ribs -or kidneys, or stomach, or spine. Now Elle is really fed up with being pregnant can't wait to see her child IRL.

This afternoon I am having coffee at Elle's. Not the decaf she's been drinking for the past nine months, but the real stuff: that will learn him/her! After that, I will talk to the belly to convince Bob (working title) that it's time to get out. The place is definitely not big enough, there's more space outside. If my talking doesn't do the trick, we go cycling across the city centre (nice and bumpy). Or jump rope. Eat Mexican or Indian. If my help does not work, she might have to call in the help of her hubby... ;-b

Cross your fingers that Elle (and her hubby) don't have to wait another one (or two) weeks... I'll keep you posted!

update @ 16:00 PM Coffee and lecture did not do the trick, and it rained outside, so no cycling or jump rope today.... Maybe tomorrow?

 

"Working" week

Pfff.

Barely survived another very busy -loaded with parties- weekend. Time to rest again: it's Monday!
(You would not believe me, if I told you that I am not that big of a party animal, would you?)

 

A day in the life of...

A selection of photo's (NSFW pics will only be shown at my place, under my personal supervision ;-) ) of the Queen's Day celebrations in Amsterdam can be viewed at the photo gallery.

 

Hello! Hallo! Gutentag! Bonjour!

A very warm welcome to: Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, the Slovak Republic, and Slovenia, as these 10 countries joined us '-) today !!!

May we all be United in Diversity!